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Schools for riding dirt

  1. #1
    Lifer SwiftTone's Avatar
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    Schools for riding dirt

    Just purchased a DRZ400SM that I'll be putting dirt wheels on and gearing it down for the dirt. I have taken the MSF dirt class which was about 4 hours of riding. Getting older and hopefully wiser so I'd rather not just go to a trail and try to "figure it out". Too lazy to tire myself out and get frustrated and prefer profession instructions.

    I'm near Boston and would be interested in taking single or multiday classes to get up to speed as quickly as possible. What's around New England that is available to me?

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    Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul.

    Current: 2016 S1000XR. Past: S1000R, Streefighter S, Monter S2R1000, RC51, CBR600

  2. #2
    Soul Rider Paul_E_D's Avatar
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    Re: Schools for riding dirt

    For woods? Nothing really, There are some people who tour around putting on riding clinics. Shane Watts, Meg Braaps and some others. They are usually on private property and are seasonal. It's relatively less common that roadracing instruction. Dirt peeps are a just point it and hope for the best kind of culture. Hahaa.

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    Paul_E_D


  3. #3
    TWINS! xrocket21's Avatar
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    Re: Schools for riding dirt

    I did that Enduro race at Hemonds in Maine and saw they offer 3 stages of dirtbike classes. I plan to do one with my son next year.

    https://www.hemondsmx.com/maine-motocross-school/

    You're welcome to join us or go some day on your own. I'm thinking the level 2 class.

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    Last edited by xrocket21; 11-09-21 at 05:04 PM.

  4. #4
    Lifer typeone's Avatar
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    Re: Schools for riding dirt

    did you take the Planet Dirt MSF school in Plympton? after the basics they take you up and over a small hill and in/through a small trail over and over but that's the extent of 'trail instruction'. still a great school to learn the basics.

    you can take classes at 508 Intl. in Charlton but i'm not sure if they leverage their trail system at all, worth a call. we rented the track last week for my kids bday, awesome track for newbs, had a blast.

    outside of the clinics that come and go that Paul mentioned, take a look at Hans Neff out of the Stafford Springs area.

    https://hansneff-offroadcoach.com/


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    Beta 200RR

  5. #5
    Lifer
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    Re: Schools for riding dirt

    This thread reminds me how eternally thankful I should be to the guys who helped me when I decided I wanted to go "dirt" riding.
    Especially Joel.

    "Do you have literally ANY IDEA WTF you are doing wrong?!"
    "If I did, do you think I would be doing it over and over again!"
    "Okay. Well good point... now..."

    Really did have no fucking idea what being cross rutted was!


    Seriously though. Best of luck. What little skill I have I learned by throwing myself on the ground repeatedly in front of "friends".

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  6. #6
    Awesomeness, Inc. MattR302's Avatar
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    Re: Schools for riding dirt

    Ken does dualsport/Adventure training
    https://www.training.ridinginthezone...port-training/

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  7. #7
    suburban ghetto living... black's Avatar
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    Re: Schools for riding dirt

    If you want to hit some trails together let me know...... I don't know much except. When in doubt throttle it out.
    .
    .
    .
    .
    It works 9/ 10 times

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    hmmmm......

  8. #8

    Re: Schools for riding dirt

    Buy the moto ventures book, watch the Gary semics videos, get some saddle time, then check with the MX tracks for a private instructor...there should generally be some retired vets that are FastAsF to yell “balance! Balance! Balance!” At you for 3 hours

    Then once you’ve spent quite of bit of time and ready to take it to the next level, fly + ride with Jimmy Lewis and get yelled at again. The moto ventures class in Anza CA is also pretty good (he is the one that wrote said book.)

    Also post this Q in any local MA area dirt bike Facebook groups

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  9. #9
    ^ It's my bike and my car tls25rs's Avatar
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    Re: Schools for riding dirt

    Hans Neff looks like a good route to go

    Cross Training Enduro on Facebook or www.crosstrainingenduro.com is another online resource

    As previously mentioned Megs Braap teaches clinics - should be able to access her schedule through Traction Erag www.tractionerag.com who also offer training days, weekend clinics and weeklong trips though you might need to travel to get to either of these options Megs is all over the place in the US and Traction Erag stuff is typically based out of Canada

    There might be an option coming in eastern upstate NY but I am not sure what the plans are for that yet

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  10. #10
    suburban ghetto living... black's Avatar
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    Re: Schools for riding dirt

    Quote Originally Posted by tls25rs View Post
    Hans Neff looks like a good route to go

    Cross Training Enduro on Facebook or www.crosstrainingenduro.com is another online resource

    As previously mentioned Megs Braap teaches clinics - should be able to access her schedule through Traction Erag www.tractionerag.com who also offer training days, weekend clinics and weeklong trips though you might need to travel to get to either of these options Megs is all over the place in the US and Traction Erag stuff is typically based out of Canada

    There might be an option coming in eastern upstate NY but I am not sure what the plans are for that yet
    I mailed Hans Neff. Asked about training for a novice lo intermed... Never heard back .... Odd

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  11. #11
    Rookie Rada's Avatar
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    Re: Schools for riding dirt

    Greetings from NY...

    I am offering training for all levels at my place in Hartford NY.

    I have terrain from beginner to expert. Shoot me a PM if you are interested.

    Adam

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  12. #12
    Lifer SwiftTone's Avatar
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    Re: Schools for riding dirt

    Quote Originally Posted by Rada View Post
    Greetings from NY...

    I am offering training for all levels at my place in Hartford NY.

    I have terrain from beginner to expert. Shoot me a PM if you are interested.

    Adam
    Can you provide more info? Website, cost, curriculum ETC.

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    Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul.

    Current: 2016 S1000XR. Past: S1000R, Streefighter S, Monter S2R1000, RC51, CBR600

  13. #13
    Rookie Rada's Avatar
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    Re: Schools for riding dirt

    Quote Originally Posted by SwiftTone View Post
    Can you provide more info? Website, cost, curriculum ETC.
    At this point I don't have all that fancy stuff.
    Best bet is to come here and bring a steak or two.
    As a beginner to dirt we will focus on some important fundamentals like balance and traction management through clutch control..
    I can cater to whatever you need. It's nothing official at this point. Just me sharing 40+ years of dirt riding knowledge.
    We have 27 acres to ride that is everything from flat lawn to OMG steep. It's a fantastic place to learn.

    Drop me a note if you are interested.

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  14. #14
    Lifer
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    Re: Schools for riding dirt

    So this is happening for you?! Fuckin' a homeslice!

    OP, do as the man says.

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  15. #15
    Awesomeness, Inc. MattR302's Avatar
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    Re: Schools for riding dirt

    I dunno, sounds fishy, maybe the OP should find something more legit…



    “Hey Siri, directions to butcher shop near Granville, New York”

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  16. #16
    Back on 2 wheels yay StrayNut's Avatar
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    Re: Schools for riding dirt

    I don't know how far you're willing to travel, but Scottie swears by Cornerspin. Worth a weekend trip?

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  17. #17
    Rookie Rada's Avatar
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    Re: Schools for riding dirt

    Quote Originally Posted by nhbubba View Post
    So this is happening for you?! Fuckin' a homeslice!

    OP, do as the man says.
    Yeah. Once I dot a couple more Is and cross a few more Ts I will be open for business. One on one as well as group clinics.
    We will also host Megs Braap again next summer for most likely another 3 day clinic. We sold out this year.
    But, Yeah. We are on the way to having a legit training facility here.

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  18. #18
    Lifer
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    Re: Schools for riding dirt




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  19. #19
    Super Adventurer SRTie4k's Avatar
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    Re: Schools for riding dirt

    I'm a big proponent of riding the adventure routes we have here in New England. Most of them are relatively easy, but have some technical sections here and there that let you get the experience you need to ride more technical stuff. And most of them are forgiving enough that you're not going to get discouraged, assuming you ride them based on their technicality.

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  20. #20
    Lifer SwiftTone's Avatar
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    Re: Schools for riding dirt

    Quote Originally Posted by typeone View Post
    did you take the Planet Dirt MSF school in Plympton? after the basics they take you up and over a small hill and in/through a small trail over and over but that's the extent of 'trail instruction'. still a great school to learn the basics.

    you can take classes at 508 Intl. in Charlton but i'm not sure if they leverage their trail system at all, worth a call. we rented the track last week for my kids bday, awesome track for newbs, had a blast.

    outside of the clinics that come and go that Paul mentioned, take a look at Hans Neff out of the Stafford Springs area.

    https://hansneff-offroadcoach.com/

    So a little update. Been riding Freetown MA three times. Been dropping my bike and generally getting my ass kicked.

    So I signed up for Han's private for July!

    FYI 4 hour group class of 4 is $250. 3 hour private class is $350. No brainer!

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    Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul.

    Current: 2016 S1000XR. Past: S1000R, Streefighter S, Monter S2R1000, RC51, CBR600

  21. #21
    Lifer typeone's Avatar
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    Re: Schools for riding dirt

    Quote Originally Posted by SwiftTone View Post
    So a little update. Been riding Freetown MA three times. Been dropping my bike and generally getting my ass kicked.

    So I signed up for Han's private for July!

    FYI 4 hour group class of 4 is $250. 3 hour private class is $350. No brainer!
    wooF! that's how to get into dirt riding, hit Freetown have you been doing both sides? fuck the eastern side, Monotony with a Capital M ... but i hear there is some secret stash that looks way fun off the reg loop.

    nice work on signing up with Hans! should be great from what i've seen. good to know on the group pricing, i'd love to do that some time.

    btw, you're not local, but if you ever intend to ride Hodges Village Dam in Oxford, MA, i'd be happy to show you around. just started showing a friend who's a new rider the novice trails and met another new rider on Sat that was interested in figuring the place out as well. FYI.

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  22. #22
    Posting Freak Jewcati's Avatar
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    Re: Schools for riding dirt

    This looks interesting, do you have a full group already?

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  23. #23
    Lifer SwiftTone's Avatar
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    Re: Schools for riding dirt

    Quote Originally Posted by Jewcati View Post
    This looks interesting, do you have a full group already?
    If you're asking me I am taking the private class.

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    Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul.

    Current: 2016 S1000XR. Past: S1000R, Streefighter S, Monter S2R1000, RC51, CBR600

  24. #24
    Lifer SwiftTone's Avatar
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    Re: Schools for riding dirt

    Bumping this. Any other options out there this time around?

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    Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul.

    Current: 2016 S1000XR. Past: S1000R, Streefighter S, Monter S2R1000, RC51, CBR600

  25. #25
    ^ It's my bike and my car tls25rs's Avatar
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